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The Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings started a two-game mini-series with a showdown in California on Tuesday. Dallas, which is 0-2 in the head-to-head battles, hoped to keep themselves alive in the third encounter between the two teams. Luka Doncic’s supporting cast is healthy so the Mavs will like their chance of surviving.
Doncic, P.J. Washington and Tim Hardaway Jr. got the Mavericks going early. They combined to drag the visitors to a slim 31-28 edge. Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis helped the hosts stay within striking distance.
The Mavericks tried to pull away in the second frame but the Kings stubbornly kept fighting. Luka Doncic exploded for 19 in the said period points after a seven-point first quarter. Kyrie Irving was still stuck at six points after 24 minutes.
The Kings tailed their visitors with timely scoring from De’Aaron Fox who had 11 in the period. Domantas Sabonis’ rebounding and playmaking caused the Mavs trouble for the entire first half. “Domas” is on track for yet another triple-double. Still, Dallas led, 58-53 as the teams exited for the halftime break.
The third quarter was when Kyrie Irving and his teammates finally came alive to help Luka Doncic. Dallas put together superb execution on both ends of the court to trample Sacramento 38-23 in the said quarter. The Mavericks led 96-76 entering the last 12 minutes of the game.
The final period was more of the same impressive end-to-end play from the Dallas Mavericks. They snuffed out every attempt by the Sacramento Kings to rally. The visitors' defense on De'Aaron Fox was key to the win as they shackled the shifted guard to just four second-half points.
Domantas Sabonis' impact on the floor was also curtailed by the Mavericks' physical defense. Jason Kidd rotated his big men, always keeping a fresh body on Sacramento's offensive hub. Once the Kings' two stars found it tough to dictate plays, the rout was inevitable.
The Dallas Mavericks finished with a statement win, humbling the Sacramento Kings 132-96. Fans can't wait for the Kings' response when it hosts the rematch two nights later.
Dallas Mavericks vs Sacramento Kings game player stats and box scores
Dallas Mavericks game player stats
Sacramento Kings game player stats
Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, De'Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray's 3-pointers tonight
"Luka Legend" and "Uncle Drew" combined to hit 4-of-9 3-pointers in the first half on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings. All the makes were courtesy of the Slovenian as Irving missed both of his attempts.
"Swipa" and Murray settled for a 4-of-5 clip from the same distance during the same stretch versus the Dallas Mavericks.
Irving got himself going in the second half to finish 4-of-9 in 3-pointers. Doncic wasn't as aggressive from deep to end up with a 4-of-8 line from long range.
Fox and Murray cooled down just as Irving waxed hot. The Kings' deadliest perimeter threats combined for 4-of-10 in 3-pointers to finish the game.
Guess the Lakers players!
